Portable massaging device



June 5, 1956 s. KOSLOFF PORTABLE MASSAGING DEVICE Filed June 12, 1955 United States Patent PORTABLE MASSAGING DEVICE Samuel Koslolf, Jamaica, N. Y.

Application June 12, 1953, Serial No. 361,359

2 Claims. (Cl. 128-57) This invention relates to portable massaging devices and, more particularly, to a new and useful improvement in a hand actuated massaging device for massaging the human body by means of balls.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a massaging device with freely movable spherical members arranged to engage resiliently all parts of the body being treated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a massaging device with spherical members movably mounted in a manner so as to prevent a pinching action.

A further object of the invention is to provide a portable massaging device with a hand grip arranged to exert maximum pressure evenly distributed over the portion of the body being treated.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a portable massaging device with spherical massaging members arranged in arcuate or straight alignment and to conform to the shape of the portion of the body being treated.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a hand actuated massaging device which is characterized by fewness of parts, is readily operated by an unskilled person and is highly eflicient in stimulating the circulation of the blood in the treated part of the body.

It is further proposed to produce a massaging device which is simple and durable in construction and which can be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a top perspective view of a massaging device embodying one form of my invention.

Fig. 2 is an end view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a bottom perspective view thereof.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on the plane of the line 44 of Fig. 2 with the balls shown in dot and dash lines.

In Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, the massaging device shown, embodying the first form of the invention, comprises an arcuate shaped plate forming an outer shell 10. The shell may be made of aluminum, plastic or any other suitable material. A number of elongated curved troughs 11 of the same material are secured to the inner surface of the shell and are arranged alongside of each other in arcuate fashion. The body of each trough is slightly greater than a semicircle in cross-section so as to provide a restricted passage 12 therealong. The long edges of the body of each trough are cut away at their ends as indicated at 13, and each body is formed with an abutment wall 14 at each end extending across the inner half of the trough body.

A plurality of spherical massaging members such as balls 15 formed of compressible sponge rubber, cork or plastic, or any suitable material and of any desired size, are freely and rotatably mounted in each trough. The diameter of each ball is greater than the depth of the trough whereby the ball projects outwardly beyond the long edges of the trough, and said diameter is greater 2,748,763 Patented June 5, 1956 than the space across the opening 12 between said longedges, whereby the ball is prevented from falling out of the trough by said long edges. The cut away portions 13 at the ends of each trough permit the balls to project endwise of the trough, and the end abutment walls 14 prevent displacement of the balls longitudinally of the trough.

A handle 16 of the same material as the shell 10 is fastened in any suitable manner on the outside of the shell 10 at its center and is disposed longitudinally thereof for manipulating the device.

In use, an operator by means of the handle 16 applies pressure to portions of the body being treated through the shell 10 and the balls 15, and by reciprocation or movement of the balls back and forth over the portions of the body being treated cause the balls to be firmly pressed against the skin of the body and by movement of the device cause circulation of the blood through the portions of the body being treated. The balls can very readily be removed from the trough for cleaning the trough or for replacement or for any other purpose.

It will be understood that instead of a plurality of balls in each trough, a single ball could be used with beneficial results.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A massaging device comprising an elongated semicircular outer shell, a plurality of rows of curved troughs supported on and partially enclosed by said shell, each trough having a body slightly greater than a semicircle in cross-section so as to provide a restricted opening therealong, a plurality of compressible massaging balls freely mounted in said troughs, the edge walls of said restricted opening preventing displacement of said balls radially, end abutment walls on the troughs for preventing displacement of the balls longitudinally of the troughs, and a handle on said shell, the balls being arranged so as to provide a trough-shaped massaging surface transversely of the device.

2. A massaging device comprising an outer shell of semi-circular shape, three curved troughs mounted securely on the inner surface of said shell, each trough having an arcuate-shaped body slightly greater than a semi-circle in cross-section so as to provide a restricted opening therealong, a plurality of massaging balls freely mounted in said troughs, the edge walls of said restricted opening preventing displacement of the balls radially, end abutments on the troughs for preventing displacement of the balls longitudinally of the troughs, and a central arcuate-shaped handle on said shell, over said troughs, the balls being arranged so as to provide a trough-shaped massaging surface transversely of the device.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 598,773 Figge Feb. 8, 1898 781,555 Schanz Jan. 13, 1905 1,257,957 Kost Feb. 26, 1918 1,539,299 Cheney May 26, 1925 1,703,811 Blum Feb. 26, 1929 2,183,726 Sommer et al Dec. 19, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS 17,957 Great Britain July 31, 1897 

